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MANSORY Geneva 2016 – AMG GLE63, Range Rover Sport and Bentley Flying Spur

Roundup of the stragglers from Mansory’s Geneva showstand: the new GLE63, RRS and Bentley Flying Spur. Mercedes-AMG GLE63 by MANSORY WORLD PREMIERE at the 2016 Geneva Int. Motor Show     Sporty Power SUV ­– MANSORY refines the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 to a masculine wide body   All over the world the name MANSORY is synonymous with the refinement of luxury cars. With the new programme for the Mercedes AMG GLE 63 the company in Brand, Bavaria, once again recommends itself as the top address for sporty accessories, powerful increases in performance and an exciting body design.   Sporty elegance characterises the …

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Geneva Debuts – 2016 AMG GT-S by MANSORY

  Another half-debut, half-preview from Mansory.  The cars definitely exist — as their real-life cabins show — but these outdoor renders are very obviously images vs photos. Even so, the incredible new reverse ducted wings of the Mansory GTS make themselves very well-known!     2016 MANSORY AMG GT-S WORLD PREMIERE at the 2016 Geneva Int. Motor Show     MANSORY rocks the Mercedes-AMG GT S   Refining super cars is more than just a business for MANSORY. The attention to detail and the love of all that is special and unique is what drives us to produce out-of-the-ordinary automobiles. …

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Geneva Debuts – 2016 MANSORY 4XX Siracusa Ferrari

Official details and some very detailed preview images of the new Siracusa package from Mansory.  Now fully redesigned for the 488 GTB!   2016 MANSORY 4XX Siracusa Ferrari         PRESS RELEASE March 2016   WORLD PREMIERE at the 2016 Geneva Int. Motor Show     MANSORY 4XX SIRACUSA – spectacular mid-engined sports car with Italian roots   With the 4XX MANSORY now presents the second generation of the super sports car SIRACUSA. The first model was based on the Ferrari 458, the successor, the Ferrari 488, has now been given a complete makeover. Centrepiece of the complete customisation …

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2.7s, 830HP 2016 MANSORY Aventador Superveloce J.S.1 Edition – James Stunt Special

An almost insane amount of carbon went into the special for London playboy James Stunt. Every single piece– in matching Mansory carbon.   The effect is fairly interesting.  Almost like a Magic Eye poster! Of course, all that new bodywork wears dozens of new aero slits and slats — adding ferocity to the already-feral LP750 SuperVeloce.   2016 MANSORY Aventador Superveloce J.S.1 Edition  J.S.1 Edition – MANSORY builds one-off-super-sports car on behalf of James Stunt.    When it comes to the hyper-elegant one-of-a-kind MANSORY J.S. 1 Edition based on the Lamborghini Aventador 750-4 Superveloce, it’s not just about the look. …

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Geneva Debuts – 2016 Koenigsegg AGERA RS and AGERA Finale

The fun never runs out with the ultra-light and USA-legal Agera! These last specials of the RS and Agera Final, and Agera One of 1 are all pre-sold.  THey are still a fantastic showcase of a marque-defining hypercar. They may also mark the end of an era to a certain extent, with the new Regera range-topper already in production.       The Agera Final models are promised for a late 2017 delivery. Even so, we see great things in the future for any Koenigsegg! 2016 Koenigsegg AGERA   Koenigsegg Agera ‘Final’ Koenigsegg Automotive AB is pleased to announce the …

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2.5s 1500HP 2017 Koenigsegg REGERA – Production-Spec Hypercar KING!

  So funny that we dubbed the new Chiron a God… when along comes this 2017 Regera in production form.  Shouting another mighty name… the King! Swear to….   oh nevermind. (see below for the quote from Auto Motor and Sport). The 2017 Regera has been made real from concept form last year, with over 3000 changes and a seriously advanced new design, tech package and hyperspeed PHEV drivetrain. Putting out some SERIOUS wattage, by the way. Or  actually, kilo-watts!  525kW is the output of a worlds-first 800-volt electric drive system. All this in addition to the monstrous V8, of course. …

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Geneva Debuts – 2016 SAIC Volkswagen PHIDEON – China-Only Super-Passat

VW just revealed its next-gen flagship  super-Passat: the Phideon. Riding on a next-gen premium platform, the Phideon is a long-wheelbase sedan the size of the S-Class, but with a lower roof that VW refers to as a four-door coupe. On that note, one of the Phideon’s best initial impressions is its premium proportions.  A long-looking hood, improved dash-to-axle length and fairly short front overhang all send the right signals loud and clear.  That being said, it is not as rear-drive in appearance as even the Hyundai Genesis. The design itself is familiar, if a bit angle-sensitive as shown on these preview images. …

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Update1 – 367HP 2017 Mercedes-Benz C43 Cabrio Leads Gorgeous New C-Class Convertible Line

 Updated with live photos The new C-Class Cabrio just made its global debut! A gorgeous soft-top makes a sexy fashion statement in contrast colors, while avoiding a folding hardtop makes much more space for backseaters and luggage. The new C300 and C400 Cabriolets will be topped in the USA by a C43 AMG 4Matic.  This top model delivers 367HP through a nine-speed automatic and standard AWD.  Sprint times are comfortably under five seconds for the light AMG and perhaps even the C400 4Matic.  That model puts out 333HP through the same drivetrain, but with less vigor. Aircap, Airscarf and a …

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2016 Rolls-Royce PHANTOM – Books Closing on Best-Ever RR Model Family

This would be a curious announcement from anyone but Rolls-Royce. Basically, below they celebrate the Phantom VII and its production run from 2003-2011, then as the Phantom II from 2012 to 2016.  Its four variants (EWB, DHC, Coupe and Sedan) are unquestionably the most iconic super-lux limousines in the world.  And this really does deserve a champagne-pop for every occasion to celebrate. After all, the Phantom’s success under BMW was certainly never guaranteed.  In the Chronology of Phantoms, what we know as a Phantom I (mid-2000s) was actually the seventh in a long line of Rollers.  Anyone noting the timeline’s …

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2017 Bugatti CHIRON Black Dynamic 4

2017 Bugatti CHIRON – Dynamic Onyx + Grand Palais Photosets

Update1 – Including photos of the new Chiron in a gorgeous onyx black out on the roads and high-speed test track.  Plus a set of this hypercar hero in rare static form at the Grand Palais.   2017 Bugatti CHIRON – Dynamic Photos Every hypercar in the world just found out it was no messiah. But rather, just a false prophet. Imagine the shame!  Being so slow, so unremarkable and so inferior? Bugatti’s live-streamed press conference starts tonight at 3:45AM EST — so imagine our THRILL at the full release!  Full photoset!  Full specs!  Get me a Kleenex! The details …

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~2.1s, 1500HP 2017 Bugatti CHIRON is 261MPH Hypercar GOD!

Every hypercar in the world just found out it was no messiah. But rather, just a false prophet. Imagine the shame!  Being so slow, so unremarkable and so inferior? Bugatti’s live-streamed press conference starts tonight at 3:45AM EST — so imagine our THRILL at the full release!  Full photoset!  Full specs!  Get me a Kleenex! The details are absolutely shocking.  1500HP, 261-mph restricted Vmax for road use, and a sprint to 62-mph guaranteed to be well below 2.5-seconds. This is achieved through a 25-percent boost in power from the 8.0-liter, quad-turbo W16 engine.  New turbo designs boost power radically, and …

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2016 Ferrari California T – Deserto Rosso

Ferrari presents a new video and photo tribute to the vast mountains of sand in the Middle East with this glamourous new Cali Turbo video! It is a stark reminder of the natural beauty of the landscape, and its unique nature versus anywhere else on Earth. And also a great reminder of the new California’s beauty and potent performance…! These cars may or may not include the new Handling Speciale package, but look like they are having a ball outside Dubai regardless!     https://youtu.be/xzOQpOGD1YU   2016 Ferrari California T – Deserto Rosso Ferrari Reveals Deserto Rosso Ferrari Pays Tribute …

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Geneva Debuts – 2016 Volvo XC90 EXCELLENCE – Quad-Throne PHEV Limo for Davos Crowd

  Not just Rangies… but S-Classes and Audi A8’s too! The superlux livery market just found a new favorite: the XC90 T8 Excellence. Plugin-hybrid to ease your (guilty) conscience?  Check. SUV-easy entry and exit, plus jumbo cargo bay?  Check. Individual, 787-first-class seats in back with a full-length console and nap-ready headrests? Check. 4×4 grip for ski holidays or slushy commutes home?  Check. Subtle to the point of almost disappearing behind the bright window-edges and deep-tinted glass all around?  Check. The new XC90 Excellence certainly looks great on paper as the next favorite limousine for the Davos crowd. The Excellence order …

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~3.8s 2017 BMW M3/M4 Competition Pack – Gloss Black Trims, +20HP and Standard Sport Exhaust

Competition Pack from BMW M certainly implies track battles and knife-edged races against the stopwatch.  Every advantage that can be fed down from the top 500HP M4 GTS will be precious seconds closer to the top of any laptime board. But Competition Pack has a second meaning to us: the M3 and M4 are feeling major heat from all sides, in a segment they once owned wholeheartedly. The Lexus RC, C63 and even Cadillac ATS-V are all very valid, and oftentimes preferred, rivals to the BMW twins.  Therefore, the Competition Pack helps address some of the odd standard M3/M4 style …

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1951 Ferrari 340 America Barchetta by Touring – Surviving RHD LeMans Racer Shows Humble Origins

How far Ferrari has come! What started out with a genius 2.0-liter V12 engine that was ultra compact yet also super powerful.  The engine roared its way to the top of the racing world by the end of the 1950s, and on to a 5-billion-dollar IPO for just a slim minority of the firm’s shares in 2015?   Now a global luxury juggernaut with brand recognition to rival Coca-Cola, and desirability up there with Apple? Yes to all.  And quite a rare display of modesty and humility from Ferrari. It is intriguing to see how basic and workmanlike the first few …

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Geneva Debuts – 2016 BRABUS ROCKET 900 S65 V12TT Coupe

Brace yourself for a big week of new exotics! Let’s kick things off with the insanely powerful, yet quite suble, Brabus Rocket 900. Based on the rear-drive S65 Coupe, this Rocket 900 upgrade bumps displacement from the V12TT up to 6.3-liters.  A full engine makeovertakes power up to 887HP and a stonking 1100-plus pound-feet of torque. Accordingly, the performance of this car above 100-mph is in Veyron-like territory.  Yet also packing four giant thrones and a pretty big trunk. Even better?  This Brabus 900 pack is set to be offered on the ragtop too!     2016 BRABUS ROCKET 900 …

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RM Monaco 2016 Preview – 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Evolution – Animated Bodywork Peelaways

The 911 GT1 Evo is a rare sight indeed, and especially so with its bodywork intricately removed for a photo session. This Evo version of the GT1 LeMans prototype integrated the new 996-generation front lamps, and a slightly revised tail over its first year on the track in 1996. 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Evolution RM Sotheby’s  Monaco 2016 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Evolution Chassis no. GT1 993-117 Engine no. M86/60-109 Gearbox no. G96/80/117 Photo Credit: Chris Wilson ©2016 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

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RM Amelia 2016 – 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio

1936 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island 2016 Lot 129 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio To be auctioned on Saturday, March 12, 2016 $900,000 – $1,200,000 Chassis no. 5135 bhp, 3,257 cc DOHC inline eight-cylinder engine, four-speed manual transmission, live front axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, live rear axle with inverted quarter-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 130 in. Formerly owned by renowned Florida sportsman Alec Ulmann A genuine Stelvio with numerous unique and special features Documented by marque specialist Kees Jansen A famous and beautiful example of the Type 57 In the world of …

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1956 Austin-Healey 100M Le Mans Speedster in Left Hand Drive 1

1956 Austin-Healey 100M Le Mans Speedster in Left Hand Drive

Undoubtedly the sexiest Austin Healey we’ve even seen! This 100M Le Mans special was developed by the factory in response to a strong finish in the 24-hour race a few years prior.  This 640-unit special wore an upgraded body with hood louvres, a slimline adjustable-rake windshield and special engine/suspension upgrades. This very rare left-hand drive example was solid in Ohio in 1956, and had a full restoration in the last decade. 1956 Austin-Healey 100M Le Mans Speedster RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island 2016 Lot 175 1956 Austin-Healey 100 M ‘Le Mans’ To be auctioned on Saturday, March 12, 2016 Without Reserve …

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RM Amelia 2016 – 1925 Bugatti Type 30 Tourer

1925 Bugatti Type 30 Tourer RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island 2016 Lot 157 1925 Bugatti Type 30 Tourer To be auctioned on Saturday, March 12, 2016 $500,000 – $650,000   Photo Credit: Darin Schnabel ©2016 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s 100 bhp, 1,991 cc SOHC inline eight-cylinder engine with dual Solex carburetors, four-speed manual transmission, live front axle with semi-elliptic leaf-spring front suspension, live rear axle with quarter-elliptic leaf-spring suspension, and front hydraulic and rear mechanical drum brakes. Wheelbase: 112 in. The model that begat the straight eight-cylinder Bugatti Highly attractive and sporting original coachwork Known and well-researched history since new Formerly …

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2014 Pagani Huayra – Ex-Auto Show Star – RM Amelia 2016 Preview

We know this car!  It is Pagani’s auto show star — touring the country and wowing crowds at every stop. RM Auctions Amelia Island 2016 Lot 164 2014 Pagani Huayra To be auctioned on Saturday, March 12, 2016 $1,900,000 – $2,200,000   Photo Credit: Pepper Yandell ©2016 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s 720 bhp, 5,980 cc Mercedes-AMG V-12 engine with twin turbochargers, seven-speed automated manual transmission, front and rear independent suspension with double wishbones and fully adjustable coil-over shocks, and four-wheel carbon ceramic brakes. Wheelbase: 110 in. Less than 400 miles from new Over $260,000 in options, including $20,000 seven-piece luggage …

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1957 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta Tour de France – RM Amelia 2016 Preview

Leading a massive haul of Amelia Island stunners for RM Sotheby’s? This magnificent specimen!  An estimate so high that it is available only on request? That smacks of $30-million plus to us. The vehicle certainly seems like a contender for the most-beautiful Ferrari of all time.      1957 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta Tour de France RM Amelia Island 2016 Lot 174 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta ‘Tour de France’ To be auctioned on Saturday, March 12, 2016   Photo Credit: Darin Schnabel ©2015 Courtesy of RM Sothebys 260 bhp, 2,953 SOHC V-12 engine with three Weber 36 DCL3 …

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2016 Chevrolet Silverado eAssist – 500-Unit Hybrid V8 Cali Special

Here is a very smart addition to the world of trucks: a state-of-the-art mild hybrid.  The latest li-ion system from GM promises a 15-percent bump in fuel efficiency for just $500 more than the standard 5.3-liter V8. The system is built into the new eight-speed automatic transmission to add electric drive for 13HP and 44-pound-feet of torque.  Along with an eager stop-start, cylinder-deaction and re-generative braking…. the Silverado 1500 eAssist seems like the way forward in a fuel-savvy world. The system is just set to be offered on the 5.3-liter V8 and not the base V6, and for 2016 will …

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Concept Flashback – 2013 Lamborghini EGOISTA

As we prepare to be awed by the new Lamborghini Centario concept this week, how about a look back to three years ago.  Same place, same buzz of excitement around a new raging bull of a supercar. The Egoista certainly shocked crowds as it rumbled onstage.  Otherworldly angles on all sides, a monopisto cockpit layout with jet-fighter orange canopy, and a nose defined by three spikes where cars have always had a flat bumper plane. The idea of the Egoista was to make the fighter-jet link even more explicit than ever.  Lambo’s sharp angles have long claimed inspiration from stealth-y …

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@Acura: $200k NSX Is WTF, Dickslap Sticker Shock

Are you f***ing shi****** me? Talk about bait and switch. This new NSX just doubled in price somehow, overnight. What was widely thought to be an $80k PHEV supercar is suddenly carrying a $168k base price. And that is slightly stripped out. Painted wheels?  $1500.  SiriusXM carbon roof?  $6k.  CCM brakes?  $11k.  CF exterior?  $10k. It goes on and on, until the bombshell $200k total gives you a dickslap at the Summary screen. These options read like someone literally did a “times 2” excel function for the original prices.  Then pasted it down the entire column. Shocked. The colors, by …

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Best of Geneva – 2016 BMW X6 FALCON by AC Schnitzer

  ACS has gone to town on their new X6 Falcon flagship! The engine kit is available for both the 35i and 50i models, bumping horsepower a cool 75 for the top-flight 650HP output of the showcar. It is the tasteful and hi-viz exterior makeover that really catches the eye, though.  Quite an X6 Evo…. and definitely with more visual intrigue than the X6M.     2016 BMW X6 FALCON by AC Schnitzer Powerful, fast and impressive The X6 FALCON by AC Schnitzer  It flexes its wings, applies the gas and shoots towards its prey like a torpedo. The latest exceptional …

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Slow-Motion ActionGIFs of 2017 Lambo LP580-2 Sideways Around Doha!

Lamborghini’s going sideways at full throttle!? Ahhh!  Run for your lives! Cue the screams and tire shrieks? Yes, but this time in that mid-drift orgasm.  Not some AWD beast off its leash. The LP580-2 is the first rear-drive Lamborghini since the Gallardo Balboni, and is re-engineered to be extra playful.  Frisky, sideways and thrilled about it… Despite standard AWD across the range, Lambo is not out of practise on rear-drive models.  The GT3 cars are all rear-drive and guided the new front suspension development.  We personally like the looks of the 580’s nose a bit better than the Huracan LP610-4. …

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2016 Ferrari 488 Spider – London Launch Party + V8TT Sound Samples

Updated 2.26.16 with 30 new photos from the car’s London launch party.  The nose looks far better in real life than it did on the initial renders and autoshow photos.   Gorgeous reveals by the dozen in Frankfurt this week, with only Aston and McLaren declining to launch something new and fairly important. Superlux EVs might be the defining show theme, but supercar rivalries are a close second. Lamborghini’s new Huracan Spyder, the McLaren 650S Spider and this brand-new 488 Spider are all viciously competitve with one another. Performance is roughly the same for all three as well: 3.0-second launches to …

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2016 DS E-TENSE – Fantasy Color Visualizer of FULL-BALLS Supercar

2016’s confluence of new-car technology is great news for HOT supercars and concepts. Carbon Fiber for the the chassis can be the smallest of all batches: just one. And next, the freedom of an EV to package the batteries and drive motors relatively easily anywhere in the tubs.  This opens a lot of possibilities for fairly feasible ‘dream cars’ … following that dream road down from the Geneva showstand and into your garage! On that note, the 2016 DS E-TENSE is a perfect look at the R8-hunting, Tesla-scalping low-volume models that could come from the double innovations of CF and …

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716HP RENNtech AMG GT-S – Click-to-Buy Turbo, Aero and Coilovers!?

We love these exotic tuners, obviously. But many make it seriously tricky to actually buy the upgrades. Typically, it involves an email to them at the very least. Imagine if Amazon required that for every $2000 purchase?!  Sales would tank. So let’s share in the thrill of click-to-buy supercar mods! Horsepower is up by 180m while adjustable coil-overs are the latest new hotness — lowering the ride height of the AMG GT-S by up to an inch and a half. This stance makes a world of difference– even versus this exact car’s world debut at SEMA 2015. Definitely getting there! …

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GeigerCars.de 2016 Ford Mustang SHELBY GT350 – Nurburgring-Ready, and Now Adjacent!

One of Europe’s biggest US supercar sources just landed a quartet of title fighters — some of the best American iron ever put on four wheels. By handling the shipping and acting as a retailer, Geiger offers a no-fuss way to rock a non-imported machine down the autobahn. That is… if you can resist asking them to customize and mod it for you right off the bat! Which would you pick?  The air-freight containers include this Mustang GT350, a new 2016 Viper ACR, blue-streak Z06 and a monster RAM Rebel…. vote below to see live results of this fourgy of horsepower! …

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2016 RAM REBEL by GeigerCars

2016 RAM REBEL by GeigerCars.de

  Which would you pick?  The air-freight containers include this Mustang GT350, a new 2016 Viper ACR, blue-streak Z06 and a monster RAM Rebel…. One of Europe’s biggest US supercar sources just landed a quartet of title fighters — some of the best American iron ever put on four wheels. By handling the shipping and acting as a retailer, Geiger offers a no-fuss way to rock a non-imported machine down the autobahn. That is… if you can resist asking them to customize and mod it for you right off the bat! Vote below to see live results of this fourgy of …

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GeigerCars

GeigerCars.de 2016 Chevrolet CORVETTE Z06

One of Europe’s biggest US supercar sources just landed a quartet of title fighters — some of the best American iron ever put on four wheels. By handling the shipping and acting as a retailer, Geiger offers a no-fuss way to rock a non-imported machine down the autobahn. That is… if you can resist asking them to customize and mod it for you right off the bat! Which would you pick?  The air-freight containers include this Mustang GT350, a new 2016 Viper ACR, blue-streak Z06 and a monster RAM Rebel…. vote below to see live results of this fourgy of horsepower! …

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GeigerCars

GeigerCars.de 2016 Dodge VIPER American Club Racer

One of Europe’s biggest US supercar sources just landed a quartet of title fighters — some of the best American iron ever put on four wheels. By handling the shipping and acting as a retailer, Geiger offers a no-fuss way to rock a non-imported machine down the autobahn. That is… if you can resist asking them to customize and mod it for you right off the bat! Which would you pick?  The air-freight containers include this Mustang GT350, a new 2016 Viper ACR, blue-streak Z06 and a monster RAM Rebel…. vote below to see live results of this fourgy of horsepower! …

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3.9s, 186MPH 2017 LOTUS Evora Sport 410 – USA-Bound Carbon Special Cuts 150Lbs

There is a an even hotter variant of the new Evora 400 — and it packs more of a punch than its Sport 4110 badge might boast. A massive light-weighting program swaps the front splitter, front trunklid, roof and rear end to exposed-weave carbon fiber and drops a full dude’s weight in the process! New CF seats make up the rest of the weight savings.  All complemented by a sportier chassis tune and a bump in power. Sounds heavenly — and there is great news for US buyers too — a North American version will join the lineup too for …

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Want to be an Auto Journalist? Special Contributors, Snappers and Reviewers Needed

We are looking for a few new contributors to join the five-man team here at Car-Revs-Daily.com. Writing and producing automotive news content is AWESOME — but breaking through and being published anywhere is not easy. The best way to become a top auto journalist is to just start doing it.   Become a published auto writer via Car-Revs-Daily.com. If you are a photographer, writer, car-nut, traveler — we want to hear from you.  Catch your dream and start publishing your coolest photos, articles, and adventures!   Custom cars, motorcycles, trucks and planes are all fair game.  Military vehicles and boats?  Sounds good too. …

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1985 Volvo 480ES – ‘Project Galaxy’ Showcar Turns 30 + Lessons In Retrospect

Trust and affection go hand in hand. When you love a brand, you are willing to follow it to the ends of the Earth if need be. The BMW X5 proved this conclusively — with initial haters eventually loving the SUV’s Bimmer-ness, and its sales success worldwide still quite striking. Volvo proved its brand flexibility in a similar way with the XC90 — a game-changer of an SUV that saved the marque from a possible SAAB-like fate during the industry shakeout of ~2009. In fact, Volvo has long been remarkably flexible in moving beyond its core family sedan and wagon …

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2017 MINI Cooper Convertible – 80 New Photos of Ragtop

Updated 2.24.16 with 77 new photosThe new MINI ragtop is here and vastly improved!  An all-new and wider platform houses two new engines, an all-new cabin and some sweet new tech and style options. The Cooper and Cooper S both run turbo engines for the next-gen model, with standard six-speed manuals or six-speed automatics available. But there is a big difference for the S in this generation: a whole extra cylinder!  That;s right, the base MINI runs a 1.5-liter triple!  This new modular engine series powers all future BMW’s; the 340i just revealed its 3.0-liter version of the same engine, …

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AC Schnitzer ACL2 Front frontal copy

MAUS Panzer! ACL2 by AC Schnitzer is 570HP, 3.8s BMW M235i Evo

Updated 2.25.16 with official details from AC Schnitzer — who is emphatic about the lightness of the vehicle!  Our silly Maus Panzer headline speaks more to this ‘mouse’ of a 2-series that packs a punch like GTR battle tank… Will ACL2 become as fearsome a badge as GT-R?  Panzer Maus?  M2? PERHAPS! AC Schnitzer has been working its magic brilliantly on the smallest BMWs for years now. 1 series became 2 series, and the team was on it instantly!  What they have created is nothing short of the Panzer VIII ‘Maus’ supertank….  at least in its fearsome spirit, if not scale. …

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2.8s, 670HP 2017 ICONA Vulcano Titanium – New Video, Specs and 35 Photos Ahead of Top Marques Monaco

Icona is prepping the Vulcano Titanium for Top Marques Monaco — and has shared a new video about the trials and tribulation of creating a titanium-bodied hypercar. We must say, despite the very enchanting design and clear purpose — challenging the Ferrari F12 — the Vulcano was quite a curious sight on the Pebble Beach Concept Lawn in 2015. Why? It is mostly the exposed titanium finish!  It is distracting, hard to photograph, and presents pretty poorly versus the ultra-high-gloss paintwork of the others with which it shared the practise putting green. But that incredible bodywork is also part of the …

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650HP, 3.7s BRABUS C63-S – Remote Exhaust, 200MPH vMax for Juiciest AMG 4.0TT Yet

  Brabus is an engine specialist at its core.  Their deep knowledge of AMG and Mercedes engines has always been one of the firm’s core advantages over the largely aesthetic upgrades offered by other Mercedes tuning boutiques. That engine knowledge is critical now — as AMG makes a full swap to turbocharged engine technology. The upgrade process is now far more technical than ever before.  New ECU tunes along with the firm’s bread/butter of strengthened engine internals, sport intakes and exhausts.  Results? Firepower! 650HP is a cool 137 extra ponies over the hottest factory C63-S, and torque is up just as …

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2017 Volvo V40 and V40 Cross Country Facelift Revealed

We’re huge cheerleaders of Volvo’s long-deserved reboot. The new XC90 and S90/V90 point strongly toward the 2020 goals of the firm for its entire range.  And they are off to a racing start!  Sales of the XC90 are through the roof — recording some of the only volume gains the firm has achieved in at least the last decade. The entire line will be fully switched from its current platforms over to the new all-hybrid architectures in the future, but some models will obviously benefit from this before others. The V40 is new enough that it is falling to the …

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2017 McLaren 570GT – Glassback Triples Luggage Capacity

McLaren’s blazing launch rollout is now past year five — and they (may have) really have cracked the supercar code. Always something new and hot, with model cycles that are down to about a third of the six-year average from Ferrari or ten-year lifespan of most Lambo models. But with so, so many new McLarens ….. it can get exhausting to witness.  When this 570GT press release hit our inbox, it was met with excitement at the sender… but an eye-roll at the initial details. After all, the 570S is brand-new, as is its China-focused 540C cousin. So a new …

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2017 Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe 7

367HP, ~4.4s 2017 Mercedes-AMG C43 4Matic Coupe

AMG is taking no chances with its hot C-Classes.  That is a hard plural — there are many. C450 AMG, C43, C63 and C63 S are all set to be offered in two or four-door guises.  As well as some wagons and cabriolets in the near future too! This 367HP C43 Coupe looks like a sweet spot. A nine-speed automatic with ‘double declutched’ paddle downshifts sounds fun, as does the default 31-percent front, 69-percent rear torque split for the standard 4MATIC drivetrain. The 100-kph run is promised at 4.7-seconds, and should creep down to the 4.4s ballpark to the shorter 60-mph …

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1986 Lotus 98T/3 F1 Car of Ayrton Senna – Animated 3D Cutaway by Roy Scorer, Tech Illustrator Extraordinaire

  Ed’s Intro:  Please welcome a brilliant new contributor: Roy Scorer. Roy shares a detailed, step-by-step demonstration of his artistic process here — and it is a fascinating display, indeed! Why is this all so special?  Let’s zoom out for a moment, and know that even in 2016 and with unlimited processing power… 3D ‘cutaway’ technical illustrations of a car’s engine, chassis and mechanicals are all done by hand.  CAD-CAM etc is lovely for surface details, but is singular in that purpose.  To actually “see” inside a car takes near-surreal understanding of every component, from every angle.  Even after photographing …

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Concept Debrief – 2007 Land Rover LRX

THe LRX today is kindof a non-event to view — simply because we are all so familiar with the production Range Rover EVOQUE’s design.  They are dead ringers for one another. But in 2007 when this stunning design vision rolled onstage, it was unlike any green oval truck ever before. Simply magnificent in its chunky, low and sporty proportions…. the LRX also evolved the tech-intense appeal of the LR and RR brands.  Monoblock surfacing all looks milled from solid billet steel — broken up only for ultra-slim and advanced LEDs and a blacked-out, low-roof glasshouse. The production Evoque would appear …

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2017 Bentley MULSANNE Revealed – Refreshed Styling + Tech Leaves Bug-Eyes Intact

I really, really want to know: who loves the look of the Bentley Mulsanne’s giant, bug-eye headlights. Find me someone.  Anyone. Anyone who is not immediately repulsed by these gobsmackingly hideous, oversized lamps.  Oh, and cross-eyed, too. Certainly not anyone we have met. We even understand the hommage.  Past Bentley’s with their free-standing light units, etc. Even so, for the first Mulsanne facelift/refresh to leave the ‘elephant in the room’ unaddressed…. is inexplicable. In fact, despite the cool new looks front and rear with fresh bumpers and grilles, the oversized lamps are now even more repugnant.  Now lined with a …

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Classic Icons Gallery – 1971 RANGE ROVER and 1970 RR Prototype – On Safari in Morocco

While shamelessly photoshopping the life out of (and in to) numerous vehicles… it is good to get a sense of our roots. Range Rover SuperSport   Classic Icons Gallery – 1971 RANGE ROVER and 1970 RR Prototype – On Safari in Morocco

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2018 Lexus LC500 Cabrio Rendering

Full details on the new LC500h from Lexus! Very interesting advancements… conforming to few of the hypotheticals we initially posed below. For example, would it be a PHEV?  Would it run a V8? No and no on those fronts. But fear not: a new Li-ion battery system and four-speed EV transaxle in back complements the3.5-liter V6 up front to deliver a ballparked 4.7-second 4.2s sprint to 60-mph.  That is deeply impressive for a machine that also offers a new Hybrid manual gear-shift mode and far less CVT drone than possible before.  Lexus’s explicit promise of “well under 5 seconds to 100-kph” …

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2016 Citroen C4 CACTUS Rip Curl Edition – Dark Detailing, GripControl + Glass Roof for Surfer Special

Here is a pretty cool special-edition that Citroen is bringing to Geneva 2016: the C4 Cactus Rip Curl Edition. This light cosmetic makeover darkens the looks of this funky lifestyle-mobile, adds some funky graphics to the bodysides, and includes the best standard-equipment like a panoramic glass roof and other goodies. But how, one might ask, will a front-drive crossover be the right vehicle for a surf trip? Well, even without AWD or 4×4, the C4 Cactus Rip Curl hopes to park comfortably right on the beach.  Standard mud/snow tires join forces with a new GripControl ESP system that enables more slip …

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2.3s, 805HP Lamborghini HURACAN OCT800 Supercharged by O.CT TUNING

It was only a matter of time.  The entry-level Lambo Gallardo and now Huracan have long been the ideal tuning platform for achieving stunning, headline-shattering power and performance levels. So fast, and so scary… just $100k extra over the Lambo list prices has been plenty to achieve Veyron-beating quickness.  At least below 200-mph… where the mods really start to frighten for the wrong reasons.  Not just loud as F***… but also a bit risky to top-out.  An extra 195HP from this next-gen Supercharged Huracan V10 is not something to be Vmaxed lightly! A supercharger mod for the Huracan from O.CT …

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Update1 – Ferrari 458 Widebody by MISHA Designs Is Shockingly Sexy Redesign

Updated with 16 new photos from Misha Designs.  A gorgeous car-mod crew is evolving — right before our eyes! Misha Designs out of LA has been on the custom supercar scene for years now, but has limited its scope — until recently — to wheels, stance and lower-body mods. Panameras, SLS AMGs, 911 Turbos and the rest of the usual Lambo suspects have been under the knife over at Misha on La Cienega Blvd. All those upgrades just seem like training for the main event now.  Seeing the MISHA 458 widebody is a clear signal of the talent and ambition of …

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2017 BMW Motorrad G310 R – Ultra-Light Stunt Bike Is A Two-Wheeled Dino Ferrari

This of this new G310 R from BMW Motorrad as the two-wheeled Dino Ferrari. Lighter weight, lower power outputs than its big brothers…. but just as sexy and innovative.  And crucially, with a radically lower price! The G310 R is the production variant of the G310 Stunt concept — -and is a wonderful intro sportbike thanks to its flawless handling, light weight and modest power output. A single-cylinder engine puts out a top horsepower rating of just 34.  But before you balk, just know that the total unladen weight is only 350 pounds! This all ensures flickable, trustworthy maneuvers on …

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3.3s 2017 BMW R nineT Scrambler – Air-Cooled Boxer ThrillRide! USA Arrival + Specs

All you need to know? Aircooled boxer engine, race-bike fast — but wearing any tires across any terrain you’re brave enough to ride!  A two-in-one exhaust cannon is said to really shout out like a racebike on full throttle…. ThruuuMmmm… Brummm!  110HP is the top R90 output, and 124-mph the Vmax. The new R nineT is set for a USA arrival around August of 2016 as a 2017 model-year bike. To kick off the excitement, here are a few animations of the various looks and modes of the bike…. plus a cool 90 pics of this butch new BMW bike. …

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Range Rover Autobiography Helps Christen VIRGIN GALACTIC SS2 Unity

The revised SpaceShipTwo from Virgin Galactic made its debut this week — towed into the glamorous launch ceremony by none other than the best 4×4-by-far! The Range Rover Autobiography is a dashingly tiny vehicle versus this rocket-powered space plane.  Towing in such a gigantic aircraft is a great showcase of the Rangie’s 7700-pound max tow rating. Speeds were considerably lower here than normal highway towing…. but there is no better-looking trailer… in the universe!   Range Rover Autobiography – Virgin Galactic SS2 Unity RANGE ROVER HELPS UNVEIL NEW VIRGIN GALACTIC SPACESHIPTWO AT GLOBAL REVEAL AND NAMING CEREMONY 19/02/16   – Land …

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Hawkeye Drives – 2016 Hyundai Tucson Limited 1.6T Review

2016 Hyundai Tucson Review By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman Two years ago, I needed to replace the wife’s aging Hyundai Santa Fe.  Since the new Santa Fe models had grown considerably in size, and she still wanted a small SUV, I went to the dealer to buy the Tucson.  We were a Hyundai family, as both daughters and a son-in-law owned Hyundai various models, and everyone was happy with their vehicles.  But I found the generation II Tucson was the first Hyundai I had ever been disappointed in.  So disappointed, we wound up with a Nissan Rogue, which we’ve been happy …

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2016 BMW M3 – M Livery Photos from Daytona Speedway BMW Performance Driving School

BMW is on our shitlist lately, so these photos are fairly raw and uninteresting.  But hey, sitting on a pack of   high-res photos of the 2016 M3 in tricolor M livery is impossible for any real car nut! These cars are pure street cars, despite their gorgeous M Performance Parts upgrading the kidneys to gloss black and the spoilers to exposed-weave carbon fiber. The M livery is a godsend.  Why?  Because the car’s standard colors suck. 2016 BMW M3 Motorsport Livery

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Hall of Fame – 2010 Alfa Romeo Pandion by BERTONE

We obviously cover a lot of concepts and dream cars here, but rarely does one captivate the eye and mind more than the 2010 Bertone Pandion. BERTONE: COMPANY SITUATION ANALYSIS First things first: Bertone (pronounced ‘Bear Tony’) is currently restructuring after some lean years in the Italian car business drained its corporate accounts to breaking point. Is this any way indicative of the quality of the firm’s design work? Absolutely, positively not. In fact, it is because of Bertone’s amazing ideas that the firm branched back into actual car factories versus just dreamy, steamy concept cars and prototypes. Full-scale production …

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2017 PAGANI Huayra BC – Hyperlight Aero + Xtrac Race Drivetrain for Street-Legal Masterpiece

Welcome to the hottest new Pagani! The BC is named after Horacio’s very first customer, Benny Caiola, and is a hell of a tribute indeed. Every body panel except the roof is all new for this track-ready beast of a machine.  Power is up, weight is radically down, and a new active diff and Xtrac racing paddle-shifter will drop laptimes down radically as well. And one of its best details?  One that will send your happiness quotient through the clouds?! Unlike the Pagani Zonda R or Zonda Revolucione, the Huayra BC will be fully street-legal worldwide.  Yes, this includes the US …

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2017 Maserati LEVANTE Is Official!

We’re curious about the name.  Is it said “lay-von-tay” or “lah-vant”  ?   And is it affiliated with the region in the Middle East? First look tonight at the Maserati savior: the Levante SUV. This long-confirmed model is already rolling off the assembly line in Italy ahead of its public debut at Geneva in a few weeks. These four images offer our first official bite of the new Italian Cayenne-fighter’s looks. This model is absolutely critical to Maserati’s survival.  The GP and Ghibli are bombing hard in the US market, and the GC needs an update asap. That’s their whole …

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2017 Lexus LC500h – Next-Gen Hybrid Is V6 Li-ion with 4-Speed eTransaxle

Full details on the new LC500h from Lexus! Very interesting advancements… conforming to few of the hypotheticals we initially posed below. For example, would it be a PHEV?  Would it run a V8? No and no on those fronts. But fear not: a new Li-ion battery system and four-speed EV transaxle in back complements the3.5-liter V6 up front to deliver a ballparked 4.7-second sprint to 60-mph.  That is deeply impressive for a machine that also offers a new Hybrid manual gear-shift mode and far less CVT drone than possible before.  Lexus’s explicit promise of “well under 5 seconds to 100-kph” is …

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Road Test Review – 2016 Infiniti QX50

The QX50 is a crossover that every single carmaker in the world would love to have in their lineup. Just think about its core package: a standard 3.7-liter V6 making 325HP, to the back wheels, through a 7-speed automatic. A balanced chassis, and roaring Z-car-like performance from a base price of just under $35k!  Sign me up. Is the QX50’s rare offering the one you want leading your fleet, though?  Let’s find out… The QX50 is the kind of anti-minivan, performance SUV that typically carries pricing in the 50s as a BMW X4, Mercedes GLC or perhaps Dodge Durango R/T.  What else can be purely rear-drive and …

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2016 Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTE Complements V12 Racecars; Dismal Results Expected

  Oh, poor Aston. Just after the DB11 leaked online the other day, we have a fresh look at the factory race team’s 2016 endurance racing competitor: a heavily revised V8 Vantage GTE.  This new entry complements a pair of V12 Vantages that are already on the docket for the Nurburgring 24H race later this Springtime. But woe is me.  This car just can’t seem to catch a break. Long ago, other race teams would have packed it in, headed home and nursed their wounds.  Only to return once ready to compete. Not Aston.  They have stayed in the racing circuit …

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PRIOR DESIGN Ferrari PD458 AeroKit – Looking Gorgeous on New Rosso Corsa Example

New photoshoot of the PD458 aerokit from Prior Design! This time, we see the non-widebody version with a set of lovely 21-inch VOSSEN VPS-306 forged wheels. Continental tires and a slight height drop from the H&R springs complete the look.  Clearly, this aerokit is a winner with or without the extended PD458WB fenders. Check out the latest lipstick-red hotness — and how-to-buy info — below..   PRIOR DESIGN Ferrari PD458 AeroKit – Red Prior Design can make some of the craziest, most-exotic customs look absolutely flawless. Truly factory-fresh in appearance, the Prior Design upgrades are a fabulous treat on any supercar. But the …

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2016 Nissan FRONTIER Pro-4X V6 AWD 72

HD Road Test Review + Videos – 2016 Nissan FRONTIER Pro-4X V6 4×4 Automatic

Is newer better? That is the fundamental question many car shoppers ask themselves, and roundly find that Yes is the answer. But for truck owners, newer is far less likely to be automatically better. For the 2016 Nissan Frontier, the proven mechanicals, extra-tough frame and V6 4×4 setup is as trusty as your best friend. And luckily, it is almost as fun! We threw the Frontier into a few wild off-road donuts just minutes after its arrival… and came out that cloud of dust and dirt with rekindled love for the Nissan mid-size truck in 2016. Yes, even more than …

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2017 Volvo V90 Debuts – 400HP T8 Engine, Low-Roof Look Marks Return to Form

Huge, lux and low are the name of the game for the new 2017 Volvo V90 wagon! Sharing its new platform and powertrains with the wildly-successfully 2016 XC90 SUV and upcoming S90 limo, the new V90 is a major step back into Volvo’s core groove. The looks of the machine are actually far more successful than the S90 sedan, which has some seriously curious tail styling marring excitement about its arrival later this year to US showrooms. 2017 Volvo S90 Where the S90 looks a bit funky, however, the V90 relishes its long-hood, low-roof ethos.  Even the back glass is …

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2017 Jaguar F-TYPE SVR 12

Off The Chain! 3.5s, 200MPH 2017 Jaguar F-TYPE SVR – 60 New Images, Tech Specs and Pricing Revealed

  Just when I am grieving the loss of my F-Type R AWD Coupe and its astounding brilliance… along comes an even hotter F-Type! The new SVR range-topper delivers a 25HP bump in horsepower to 575, a new titanium exhaust system drops weight and adds sound, while advanced new aero details grace all sides of this quickest-ever Jaguar supercar.  And short of the XJ220 without its catalytic converters… this new SVR is also the fastest production Jaguar of all time. Bottom line?  JAG is OFF THE CHAIN! Clear the area people, this could get very dangerous!  Do not provoke the …

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2017 EAGLE Spyder GT – Third Bespoke E-Type Creation – Much Faster than Speedster, Plus First-Ever Ragtop!

The Eagle Speedster and Low Drag GT are two of the most-desirable restomods in the history of the genre. And that label barely does these 100-percent unique creations — reborn of aircraft-grade alloy throughout. Its deliciously widened, streamlined bodywork is shaped lovingly, by hand, in the true old-world master craftsmen tradition. Eagle Speedster and Eagle Low Drag GT Since the roofless Speedster made such a splash on Top Gear, and the Low Drag GT brought its mouthwatering appeal to just a single-digit number of total owners….. we are now in the third part of the Eagle ‘trilogy.’ This new Spyder GT …

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521HP, 4.6s 2017 Bentley Flying Spur V8S Is Sweet-Spot Limo with Gloss-Black Details

The moment you drive the Continental V8 S lineup, you really have to think hard about the W12 variants — as well as the base V8 configuration. An extra 21 horsepower joins forces with revised drive programs and 502 pound-feet of torque from 1700-rpm.  The end result is a fairly rapid 4.6-second run to the benchmark 60-mph.  That is 0.3s quicker than the Flying Spur V8.  But a cool second off the pace of its similarly-priced rivals: the S63 AMG, S8 Plus and the new Alpina B7/BMW M760i. A new look for the grille, trims and diffuser dips all the …

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2017 MSO 675LT Spider + Full-Carbon P1 Revealed for Geneva

  2017 McLaren 675LT Spider by MSO   MSO PAYS CARBON FIBRE TRIBUTE TO McLAREN P1™ AND WELCOMES 675LT SPIDER AT 2016 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW McLaren Special Operations (MSO) pays carbon fibre tribute to the outgoing McLaren P1™ MSO crafts carbon fibre-themed 675LT Spider as fastest ever, street legal convertible McLaren, which makes its public debut at Geneva after selling out in weeks Full McLaren model line-up on display showcasing the Sports Series, Super Series and Ultimate Series New stand location at the Geneva Motor Show, Stand 6040, Hall 6 McLaren Automotive will attend the Geneva Motor Show for the …

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BMW X4 M40i

355HP, 4.7s 2016 BMW X4 M40i in 78 New Photos from Monterey Press Drive

This might be one M car you have to drive and hear to appreciate. The looks aren’t really doing it for me at the moment…. Power takes a big leap up to 355-ponies and 343 pound-feet of torque. Through the standard eight-speed auto and new M-calibrated xDrive, the X4 M40i shoots to 60-mph in just 4.7-seconds. That is about a half-second quicker than the existing range-topper, the X4 xDrive35i M Sport with its $50k base price. We expect the M40i X4 to come in around $55k with its light tweaks to the style outside, grey detailing all around, and custom …

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2016 BMW M2 – Laguna Seca Photoset – Jaw like Popeye, Shoulders like BRUTO!

18 photos have never packed such a punch! Look. At. This. Beast! Around Laguna Seca for the international press launch, this ridiculously fast and fun supercoupe dramatically ups the ante to Audi and AMG.  The closest you can get to this speed from outside Europe?  Definitely a pony-car killer, this M2! 2016 BMW M 2 – Laguna Seca     When BMW goes for performance glory, everyone else best stand back or be blown clear in jetwash. The new ~$130k M4 GTS reveal is being followed closely by a shadow that maintains nearly 99-percent of the big brothers’ track pace, …

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2016 ALPINE Vision Concept – 99% Production-Ready with Stunning Beauty, Race Dynamics

We’re getting very, very close to the first mass-market, mid-engine French sports car in decades!  Excluding the Bugatti Veyron and a few race specials, the Clio V6 has been the closest thing to a locally-made track car in ages. Why is this?  And how will Renault’s relaunch of the ALPINE brand enhance the firm’s strategic goals, profitability and sales of the Kadjar in China? All that remains a bit fuzzy. But the actual car is now in stark focus — and looks spectacular!   Beautiful rebirth of the original Alpine proportions, flowing rear end, and quad-lit nose right off the …

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Porsche 911 GT3 RS by KAEGE Track Attack Pack: Exhaust, Carbon Intake and Liteblox Li-ion Battery

Unlike most customs and their headline power bumps, this GT3 RS upgrade by KAEGE is quite modest by the numbers.  About 40 extra ponies are liberated from the 415-horsepower factory engine via simple airflow management.  A new track-ready pair of KW springs, BBS alloys and racing clutch are quite focused and effective track mods. PORSCHE GT3 RS by KAEGE PORSCHE GT3 RS by KAEGE All brand car import, tuning, (re)construction, service for racing aims or special retrofitting for utility vehicles – the KAEGE GmbH Company at Stetten/Palatinate with its managing director Roger KAEGE and his team fulfills (nearly) each kind …

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700HP BMW M4R by Carbonfiber Dynamics

Certainly a “lot of look” going on here!  As a showpiece for Carbonfiber Dynamics, however, perhaps that is the goal.  Combining and refining the best of the world’s tuner upgrades — under one roof and customized for your ride. Favorite elements?  Definitely the bright tirewall letters, the under-spoiler branding, and the very powerful stance from the M4’s waist down. BMW M4R by Carbonfiber Dynamics   CARBONFIBER DYNAMICS M4R project – BMW M4 up to 700 hp As well known, the renowned Carbonfiber Dynamics Company located far outside of Dortmund, is specialized on sales and distribution of different top carbon fiber …

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2016 SEAT Leon CUPRA 290 – GTI-Beating Coupe, Hatch and Wagon Gain New Sport Exhaust and Power Bump

A new sport exhaust for the five-door and SC Cupras for 2016 opens up a shouty new bellow on throttle — and ramps up max power by about 10 ponies. The wagon appears to miss out on the new sport exhaust — but is bumped up to 290 all the same.  Vmax?  156MPH!  0-60?  5.7-seconds on its best day, and 6.2-ish like clockwork on other days.  Both are a half-second beyond what the fastest GTI can deliver. As before on the Cupra 280, this wagon/coupe/hatch family is the quickest front-drive production car to ever lap the Nurburgring.  Standard LED lighting all …

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2016 MINI JCW Hardtop – USA First Look – Sweet New LEDs, Wider Stance Mark Out New $31k Bulldog

Updated 2.15.16 with first USA photos from Daytona Cool to see and hear the new MINI sports flagship at Daytona the other week.  It might have lagged the BMW M-livery M5 and M3s off the line for the IMSA Hot Lap Experience shown in the below video…. but it definitely looked like it was enjoying every second on that high-speed racetrack! The new look is most recognizable thanks to the new full-moon LED DRLs, LED fogs and smart bi-xenon projector beam main lamps in front. We even hate the tail less than before: in JCW guise, the too-large rear lamps shrink into …

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2016 Porsche 911 GT3 R – Road Car, Daytona Racer + Christophorus ‘Black Magic’ Sebring Test Feature

The official Porsche magazine Christophorus has a terrific piece in their latest issue about the shakedown testing of the heavily-revised 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 R around the hot, humid Sebring racetrack in Florida.  Dubbed ‘Black Magic,’ the article follows the Porsche customer racing team through a marathon 30-hour race test late in calendar 2015 — ahead of the car’s entry into numerous race series worldwide in 2016. We’re excited to share the unpainted test car in its raw glory — but also some extra cool perspective on the 2016 GT3 R endurance racecar. What is that?  A few snaps of the …

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Road Test Review – 2016 Acura ILX Tech Plus – Hawkeye Drives!

  2016 Acura ILX Tech Plus Review By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman Acura describes the ILX as a “Gateway” product that allows a customer to enter the world of Acura at a lower price point, in the hopes that more expensive move-up models will be in their future.  Perhaps that will prove true, but there is a lot of competition in the “Near Luxury” segment, loosely defined by sticker prices in the low to mid $30,000 range, and cars like the Buick Verano, or Audi A3 might be better choices, among others. The 2016 ILX is a mid-cycle updated vehicle, with …

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2017 Lexus LC500h Joins Geneva Roster with Next-Gen Performance Hybrid System

  Lexus just released its big Geneva news: the 2017 LC500h! This super-sports variant introduces a next-gen hybrid that Lexus calls the Multi Stage Hybrid System. No details on what this entails as of yet, but the new hybrid system promises a big boost in actual sportiness versus just extra efficiency. How will they achieve that ? There are more than a few ways.  First off, Lithium-Ion batteries are expected — which may be their first excursion in the Lexus production hybrid.  Until now, Lexus has stuck to the proven nickel-metal-hydride battery packs so well-known from the Prius and Lexus …

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2016 Jaguar F-Type Coupe Meets Its Rivals 10-vert

2016 Jaguar F-Type Coupe Meets Its Rivals: Porsche 911 GTS and Aston Martin V8 Vantage

The Jaguar F-Type has a broad competitive set.  As a new two-seater in the Jag range, the car aims to snag buyers from everyone from the Porsche 911 to the Mercedes-Benz SL. In this R AWD Coupe guide, the closest rivals to the F-Type’s performance are easily the 911 Turbo and Nissan GT-R. But in most of its trim lines, with pricing from about $80k, the F-Type aims to lure 911 C2S and perhaps even Aston Martin V8 Vantage owners into the big-cat den. We came across a few of these fierce rivals this week while relishing every startup and …

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HD Pre-Review! 550HP, 3.5s 2016 JAGUAR F-Type R AWD – First 120 Photos + 3 HD Drive Videos

It’s happening again! The moment I get my paws on a seriously stellar machine, I spend the week moving from photo location to photo location.  Running psuedo-errands like I just got my license. And a shooting rush of serotonin at every M16-rifle blast of exhaust noise and 1.5-G of pressure to my internal accelerometer. Fighting a smile is impossible.  Muffling a laugh is always a challenge too, for this, my favorite machine of all time. BEST.  CAR.   EVER. Already in quotes saying the F-Type R AWD Coupe is “the fastest, most beautiful vehicle I’ve ever driven…” And that feeling …

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Part Two: The TRUCKS – 2016 Chicago Auto Show – MEGA GALLERY

Revised Ram Powerwagon, the new Explorer XLT Sport Pack, Ridgeline and Silverados make up the big action in Chicago for trucks.  We have a new RAV4 SE to show, plus soon-renamed Scion C-HR concept and the new Tacoma TRD Pro. The Kia Telluride concept, revised Hyundai Sante Fe and Sante Fe Sport, fresh 2017 Chevrolet Trax….  Don’t forget the new Kia Niro mini-ute, and more, too!   Part Two: The TRUCKS – 2016 Chicago Auto Show – MEGA GALLERY

2016 Chicago Auto Show – MEGA GALLERY – PART ONE – The Cars

Some great live photos of many new Chicago debuts here!  THe Ford GT stuns in semi-gloss white, while the new Camaro 1LEs look the business, for sure. The new Prius and Subaru Impreza 5-Door concepts are also cool to see in real-life photos. As is the R8 V10 Plus! And the Fiat 124… but just one pic of that cutie here. Best car in the flesh?  Perhaps the Genesis Coupe Concept. Most underwhelming?  The Buick Avista. Somehow, the design elegance is not visible here.  Very reminiscent of a Tesla Model S — a car begging for a facelift itself.     …

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HD Design Analysis – 2020 Volkswagen GT Ge by Eli Shala – Biplane Aero Theory, Negative Space Define EV Supercar

Imagine your senior year in college.  Did any of your final projects merit global attention, countless strategy meetings and even full-scale models? Your ideas, and how you expressed them, drawing attention from one of the largest and most-influential carmakers in the world? We’d bet not. But then, you are not the design whiz that is Eljesah “Eli” Shala, and you did not create the 2020 VW GT Ge “Ground Effect” design study. The start of a exceptionally promising career for Eli began long ago, but is picking up momentum rapidly in 2016.  All thanks to the extreme sportiness + eco principles …

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2017 SEAT Alteca – Sharp Spanish Marque’s First SUV is a No-Brainer

  Despite the name: this is no Aztek!~ More and more lately, SUV reveals make you think only one thing:  what took so long? It started most recently with the Bentley Bentayga, but the theme runs frothy through even the most unlikely brands.  Jag F-Type?  Will be a HUGE seller?  Again.  One thinks: what took so long! Of course, $1-a-gallon gasoline certainly helps spike the SUV mood worldwide.  But this new ALTECA is prepped for a variety of futures.  Big engines, small engines, mini diesels, hybrids… all package-protected and ready to roll out in the coming years. This ALTCA crossover …

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2017 BMW M760i xDrive – V12TT Range-Topper Lags Alpina B7 to 60MPH

Quite a week for the part-carbon BMW 7 series! First the Alpina B7 with its twin-turbo V8 and optional gold deco stencils outside. And now this M760i with a twin-turbo V12 — and also AWD for this generation! The coolest part of the M760i route — which is likely to cost significantly more than the ALPINA — is definitely its dark satin body accents. That, of course, and the techno-font V12 and M760i badges throughout. The 62-mph sprints for the two cars show a curious contrast: 3.9s for the M760i plays 3.7s for the Alpina B7.   On any US …

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2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro 12 copy

2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro – Kevlar-Reinforced Tires, Rigid Industries LEDs and Black-Dipped Styling Details

Here is a seriously cool new Tacoma from Toyota: the 2017 TRD Pro! The wildest new Tacoma includes a variety of very cool mods to the factory machine — all aimed at making the unstoppable Tacoma even more rugged. Fox shocks and a 1-inch ride height lift are key to the extra off-road ability of the truck– as are the new skidplates underneith and 16-inch black TRD Pro alloys that resist snow and mudpack much better than normal alloy wheels.  Goodyear Wrangler tires with kevlar-reinforcement are fantastic innovations for a production truck, as are the Rigid Industries foglams that are …

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2016 Toyota RAV4 SE Launches Silver-Accented Style, New RALLY RACECAR!

Famed race driver Ryan Millen has adopted a hell of a challenge for 2016!  Race to win in a front-wheel-drive RAV4 SE using a bone-stock 2.5-liter four-cylinder making just 176 horsepower. Millen and his co-pilot (fiancé Christine!) seem like the perfect ambassadors for a Rav4 racing adventure.  He will man the controls as she co-drives with extremely detailed trail notes all along the way.  Such limited power and traction in the 2WD-Open Class take much of the mechanical innovations out of the normal WRC race calculus.  The races then become much more about driver skill, unbreakable reliability and extreme co-driver directions. …

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2017 Nissan ARMADA Swaps From Truck Basis To Bomb-Proof Global PATROL Models

  This 2017 Nissan Armada is a go!  You’re forgiven for recognizing this exact vehicle as the international Patrol model, or the US Infiniti QX80.  That makes sense — they are all on the same next-gen platform that is stiffer, more refined and just as gigantic as the current truck-based Armada. The new Armada majors on active safety along with its extreme, go-anywhere capability.  The drivetrain of the new Armada loses only 10 horsepower versus its very-potent QX80 sibling: 390HP. All through a seven-speed automatic with available 4WD.     2017 Nissan ARMADA ALL-NEW 2017 NISSAN ARMADA DESIGNED FOR FULL-SIZE …

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2017 Ford Explorer XLT Sport Appearance Package

2017 Ford Explorer XLT Sport Pack Is High-Impact Styling Upgrade with Blacked-Out Trims, New LED Fogs!

  Everyone wants their new Explorer to look cool and mean, like some kind of crosso between a Raptor and a Range Rover Sport. But not everyone is willing to pay for the Explorer Sport and its V6TT engine. Solution? XLT Sport Appearance Package! Despite the awful name, the results of this very-sexy upgrade to 20-inch dark grey wheels, dark grey or black trims all around, and semi-suede sport seats are clear to see.  Still stuck with this ghastly halogen foglights, but that is a quick DIY bulb swap to LEDs if you want. I stand corrected — the XLT …

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Updated with Action GIFs – 2017 Chevrolet CAMARO 1LE Track Pack Slides Into Chitown!

Wondering what all the excitement about the 1LE Camaro is about?  Just check out the upgrade list for the manual-only performance special!  For the first time, the 1LE pack will also enhance the V6 Camaro too…. Overall, these are the core elements that make any Camaro seriously focused on a racetrack, and able to keep a 10/10ths pace for hours and hours of thrills.   The SS 1LE is a full three seconds quicker around Willow Springs than the standard SS — which is a huge improvement in controlled speed.  And one that you will certainly appreciate on the roads, …

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2016 BMW M2 MotoGP Pacecar Debuts with Carbon M Performance Parts

The new M2 is taking over MotoGP safety car duties from the 2015 M4 — and looks even more badass in the M livery! Check out how the red stripe lines the massive new intake fangs.  Gold wheels, a roll cage, M Performance Parts in carbon-fiber and a few other tweaks round out a gorgeous and dreamy style. 2016 BMW M2 MotoGP Pacecar     BMW M – OFFICIAL CAR OF MotoGP™. BMW M2 MotoGP SAFETY CAR. MotoGP and BMW M Division: these two partners have formed an ideal combination for almost two decades. MotoGP is the pinnacle of motorcycle …

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2016 Nissan WINTER WARRIORS! Murano, Pathfinder and Rogue Get DOMINATOR Tracks

Nissan just revealed three deeply cool concepts for the Chicago Auto Show! These three comfy family crossovers might be slightly unlikely candidates for tank tracks, and that is what makes them so cool. The Winter Warriors are crossovers upgraded with black wraps, Nissan accessories and Dominator brand truck tracks.  Sleek red foil wraps look shimmery over dechromed V-motion grilles.  On a white backdrop with dark tints all around makes these quite captivating to see.   Our favorite part of the new look — besides the tracks! — might be the extended V shape in black up the hoods of the machines.  It is …

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2016 Porsche CAYMAN GT4 – Latest 30 Action Shots from Algarve Impress, But Car Is Poor Value

Reviewing the latest photos and video of the Cayman GT4 is quite perplexing. Who is this $84k machine aimed at?> Perhaps 911 GT3 aspirers, but for half the cash? The 4.2-second sprint to 60, intensely upgraded aero all around, sport exhaust and slammed ride height all point firmly toward the racetrack. But even Porsche knows it has a problem: there is no Cayman badge on the back of the car.  Just Porsche and GT4 letters to mark out the model. And that is the crux of it: this is a halo Cayman that hopes to ramp up excitement around the …

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Porsche MACAN PD600M Widebody by Prior Design – Chopster Looks, Easy Pricing

  Prior Design is a favorite for the gorgeous enhancements they provide to a huge range of exotic cars.  The Macan is a fave too!  Any SUV that can do an accidental four-wheel-drift when making a U-turn is a hero car for us!!   And you are forgiven for thinking these customs are $100k or more atop whatever the base price of the car is — a la Brabus or Mansory, among others.  Those firms are known for one-off and bespoke carbon-fiber creations, full fender swaps and general re-engineering on a very dramatic scale. Prior Design is more of a …

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2016 OPEL Mokka X Previews Upcoming Buick Encore Refresh

  Fantastic updates for the Opel Mokka X are set for a Geneva debut next month, and they bode extremely well for its American twin, the Buick Encore! We really like the Encore. It’s punchy turbo engine delivers admirable thrust for the segment, while its very good Quiet-Tuned refinement is a huge step up from the Chevy Trax or Jeep Renegade. This refresh brings an all-new nose, LEDs front and rear, and a total redesign of the cabin tech. The center stack — long the Encore’s sore point — is fresh with a giant new touchscreen and streamlined climate/audio controls. …

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3.2s, 207MPH 2017 Ferrari GTC4 Lusso! V12 4WD Now Adds 4WS In Full Redesign

Welcome to the next-gen Ferrari 2+2! The GTC4 Lusso is the 2017 replacement for the FF, with critical enhancements to its cabin tech and luxury, an all-new look outside, and new four-wheel steering. The new design is very hard to judge in this renderings. There is certainly alot of newness in the creases of the bodysides, plus a very chiseled new tail with defined spoiler. This is helpful to split the car’s look from the back, and disguising its hatchback from most trailing angles. The new LED lights have light pods up the fender in a vertical strake for 2017, …

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BMW ALPINA B7 xDrive

~3.4s, 193MPH 2017 BMW ALPINA B7 xDrive + Silver or Gold Deco Body Stencils

There is a new boss BMW in town! The 2017 B7 just came online ahead of its first showing in Geneva next month.  A round 600HP is the new entre, with the 100-kph sprint promised at a 3.7-seconds. This may be conservative, with ideal conditions likely to see the new LWB, AWD sedan hit the mid 3s to 60-mph. The Vmax at the top end is 193-mph, with pricing in Germany from 148k Euros. As a nod to Alpinas past, the B7 is offered with an very shouty Deco Kit — with bright ALPINA front letters and a flowing criss-cross …

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